Bloomfield College Students Tap into Creativity through Music Program

Editor's note: Bloomfield College Beat is a weekly feature written by BC students focusing on life on campus. This week's column is written by Shakirah Gittens, a junior communications major.

Bloomfield College has a wide variety of majors, including business, accounting, web design, communications and its highly respected nursing program. But no matter what major you choose, there is one thing that many students have in common: music.

Music technology is among the academic majors offered in the creative arts and technology department and, on this campus, music seems to be contagious. Whether you are an artist or are interested in music, the art form has an impact across all boundaries. Bloomfield College is cultivating top music talent. Many students record, produce and write their own music and some already have mixtapes posted online hoping their passion blossoms into a career.

Avery Mcneil, a music technology major from Jersey City, started recording his freshman year in college but always played around with the idea of making music.

"Having the equipment to record in college compared to high school ... it was really no studios.  And studios we did have, you had to pay for it," said McNeil. "So the college is like, ‘Here, here's your chance.’"

Being around other positive students with a common goal, McNeil also explains the music world at Bloomfield College as special in its own way.

“It’s unique because it’s different types of people that do different types of music,” he said. “It’s a big genre of people.”

Gibran Trott, also a music technology major, started drumming in middle school and drifted towards producing and engineering because of his curiosity. He credits his professors for improving his music editing and producing skills.

“It’s definitely hard trying to get over that underground hump,” said Trott, “but when you go to college for this, you have a step over everyone else.”

Trott looks up new artists on the Internet to create a new sound, something different that is pleasant to the ear. He said his best memories are making his own music here at Bloomfield College.

Singer-songwriter Shaun Williams said he can’t remember when music was not part of his life. His voice not only sings but evokes an emotion that is deep from within. Singing at three years old, he said it was always his passion. Singing in talent shows in high school gave Williams the confidence to perform and prepare for what Bloomfield had to offer.

“For You Always” is a song that Williams collaborated with female rapper Elyse “Leese B” Smith, a sociology major, with a concentration in criminal justice. Smith got her start recording at age 16.

“Well I was always in minor singing groups and always played around with that,” she said. “I was always in the studio that prepared me for Bloomfield. When I came to Bloomfield, I grew into the artist I am now.”

Jamal “Young Hope” Suggs is a rapper and singer. A Bloomfield College student that traveled Europe to perform at just 12 years old, Suggs said music is in his blood. He believes staying humble is the only way to be in the music industry and his mixtape should be coming out soon. 

The music environment is a pastime for some and a lifestyle for others. Writers, listeners, dancers and critics are all apart of this music movement. The students often describe Bloomfield College’s music community as welcoming and positive, which have helped bring students at the private college even closer together.